Lindy Delapenha, scorer of 'the goal that never was' returned to Teesside to see the Riverside

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It's approaching 20 years since Ayresome Park closed its doors for the final time. The passing of the once-great stadium is being commemorated by a revamped softback re-issue of the best-selling publication Ayresome Park Memories.

Today we look back at some of the bumper crowds and the stories behind the big games.

Teesside had never witnessed such scenes before – more than 53,000 fervent fans crammed into Ayresome Park for an FA Cup sixth round tie.

Boro were expected to cruise into the semi-finals for the first time in their history by beating Second Division Burnley.

According to Ayresome Park Memories, all roads leading to the ground were packed with coaches, while around 1,000 cars were parked on the Recreation Ground.

The official attendance was given as 53,025, but an estimated 5,000 were left locked outside in extremely cold conditions, with lots of snow lying around. They included hundreds of fans from Lancashire who had been delayed by the difficult driving conditions.

The fans outside refused to budge but Chief Constable Edwards saved the day, and probably avoided a riot, by giving a running report of the game through the main gates.

Inside, there was every chance of a disaster, as the fans were packed together like sardines, many struggling to breathe. But nobody wanted to leave such a big Cup tie.

Boro forced the pace from the start and were rewarded just before the interval when Micky Fenton created an opening for Geoff Walker to score.

Micky Fenton

In the second half Boro looked comfortable, but disaster struck nine minutes from time when Boro centre-half Norman Robinson lost his footing on the slippery turf and Billy Morris equalised.

The Gazette postbag overflowed afterwards. J H E of Middlesbrough said: “I was at the south-west corner and was forced by the pressure behind me from near the top of the steps adjacent to the end of the West Stand, through a seething mass of humanity until I finally landed on the ground. It was an experience I will never forget.”

A Evans of Middlesbrough said: “I would like to voice my disapproval at the number of spectators admitted to the ground. At the 1s 3d enclosure, a portion of the crowd were as near to disaster as to warrant that steps are taken to improve this part of the ground.”

Never Again from York said: “The failure to close the gates before 53,000 had secured admission was criminal. It was a miracle there was not a serious accident.”

W Joyce from Burnley said: “I wish to register strong approval over the shabby treatment which I and other Burnley supporters received at Ayresome Park. Hundreds of us were left outside. Yet we were in the queue at 1.45pm.

“The only sympathy we got from the police was for them to send for the fire engine, which threatened to give us a shower bath.”

To add insult to injury, Boro lost the replay at Turf Moor to a hotly disputed goal.

The lessons of admitting too many fans into Ayresome Park were not learned when Boro surpassed the Burnley figure by admitting a ground record of 53,802 for a derby against Newcastle United on December 27, 1949.

However, remarkably, this time the game passed without serious incident. Boro legend Wilf Mannion recalled: “You could always tell if it was a big crowd when you were still in the dressing room.

“Even though they were tightly packed, the fans were good humoured. If anybody was suffering in the crush, like the young lads, they used to pass them over their heads down to the front.”

And the result? Boro won this one, by 1-0, thanks to a headed goal from Peter McKennan.

Crowds generally began to fall gradually throughout the Fifties, though Boro must have been quite happy to attract 27,241 fans for the first ever floodlit game at Ayresome Park.

This was against Sunderland on October 17, 1957, and it contained a legendary incident with the "goal that never was”.

Boro were awarded a penalty by Billingham referee Kevin Howley when Brian Clough was brought down. Lindy Delapenha stepped forward to take the spot kick.

Cliff Mitchell, writing in The Gazette. said: “Delapenha crashed the ball past goalkeeper Routledge. It ploughed into the corner and crept through a hole there.

“Sunderland’s players thought they might as well try to bluff their way back into the game. Incredibly it worked. Mr Howley allowed himself to be talked out of his original, and correct decision.”

Howley, who briefly appeared to award the goal and then disallow it, gave his side of things 20 years later in a Gazette interview, saying: “It took some courage not to give the goal but I couldn’t because I did not see the ball enter the net.

“After the match it was established that the pegs securing the net were not holding the pull. I am still not saying that the ball entered the net, and as there was room for doubt, that’s why I didn’t give it.”

Boro had the last laugh on Sunderland, winning 2-0 with goals from Arthur Fitzsimons and Clough.

Sunderland were the visitors when Ayresome Park hosted its final 45,000-plus crowd. It was a Second Division match which finished as a 1-1 draw in front of a crowd of 47,297.

Edwin Holliday fired Boro in front on 19 minutes, though the Rokermen levelled just before the hour mark through Amby Fogerty.

Those fans who attended the electrically-charged promotion decider against Oxford United in May, 1967, may well disagree that the last 45,000-plus crowd had come eight years earlier.

This match grabbed the imagination of the Teesside footballing public more than any other during the Sixties. There were many fans outside at the kick-off, having failed to reach the turnstiles before they closed.

Boro won 4-1 to return to the Second Division, but most fans who were fortunate to be there will tell you that the most memorable part was the crowd scenes.

There were three pitch invasions during the game and it was remarkable that all the fans managed to get back into the crowd.

In the event the pressure was too much for the restraining wall close to the players’ entrance, which collapsed during the players’ victory salute after the final whistle.

Children at the front were trampled as 10,000 fans surged onto the pitch. Many fans were injured and a shuttle service of ambulances was set up to take the injured to Middlesbrough General Hospital.

A potential disaster was averted by secretary Harry Green, who bellowed the order “Stand Still Everyone” over the loudspeaker system.

And the goals? Who else but John O’Rourke notched a hat trick, while the irrepressible John Hickton netted the other.

Tony Mowbray heads the ball against Everton in 1988

Crowds scenes of this nature were few and far between in ensuing years, though there were some ugly scenes in February, 1988, when thousands were locked outside of an FA Cup fourth round replay against First Division Everton.

The final attendance was given as 25,235, while many more were disappointed when the decision was taken to close the gates 50 minutes before the kick-off.

In the event several people were arrested in scuffling outside and a policeman had to be taken to the General Hospital. It was difficult for the ambulance to get through because the streets were locked solid with fans.

The Gazette reported: “The thousands locked outside were robbed of the chance to witness one of the truly great Boro games.

“The game had everything, with agony followed by ecstasy and then agony again as Boro had the most memorable of victories snatched away from them in extra-time injury-time.”

Everton had taken the lead through Dave Watson in 66 minutes but Boro skipper Tony Mowbray secured extra-time with a headed goal in injury-time.

In the 99th minute Alan Kernaghan put Boro in front, but disaster struck in injury-time when Trevor Steven’s effort took a deflection off Colin Cooper to sneak inside the left hand post.

Boro took 5,000 fans to the second replay at Goodison Park and produced another top effort before being pipped 2-1.

Ayresome Park Memories, by Eric Paylor and John Wilson and published by DB Publishing, is available from The Gazette, all good bookshops and online, price £14.99.